Philippine President visits Cambodia

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is making a two-day State visit to Cambodia. (Photo: EPA/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte began a two-day State visit to Cambodia on December 13.

This is Duterte’s first visit to Cambodia since he took office, as well as the first by a Philippine President in the last 20 years.

Duterte is scheduled to meet with Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen on December 14.

The two sides will discuss measures to bolster bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concerns, including defence, security, trade, investment, law enforcement and anti-drug trafficking.

The East Sea issue is expected to be raised at the leaders’ talks. The Philippine media said that Duterte will reiterate the country’s viewpoint to solve East Sea disputes peacefully and in line with law.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the talks, the leaders will witness the signing of bilateral agreements on tackling transnational crimes and sports.

Duterte will leave Cambodia for Singapore on December 15 for a two day-State visit.

Before the visit, the Philippine leader stressed that his state visits to Cambodia and Singapore aim to reaffirm his country’s relations with neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia, thus promoting cooperation with ASEAN member countries.-VNA